Established in 1997, Carter's Academy of Self-Defense provides top quality instruction in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Nihon Goshin Aikido, Youth Martial Arts (Gracie Bullyproof) and Women's Self-Defense. Our owner and head instructor, John Carter, has 35 years of martial arts experience, is a 5th Degree Black-Belt in Nihon Goshin Aikido, a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Level 3 Instructor, a Certified Women Empowered Instructor,  and is Certified to teach the Nationally Recognized Gracie Bullyproof Program.  After graduating from The University of South Carolina, he began teaching Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate and Women's Self-Defense in Lexington, Irmo and Columbia. Today, our headquarters academy is Lexington, South Carolina's exclusive Level 3 Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center authorized by the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters Academy in Torrance, California and is also one of the largest Certified Nihon Goshin Aikido Training Centers © in the nation.